AEC

1-2-3 REVIT: BIM in Brazil

10 Mar, 2006 By: AIA ,Rick Rundell Cadalyst

Building information modeling offers competitive edge in Latin America's largest economy.


In previous articles I've examined the adoption of BIM (building information modeling) by architectural firms in Africa, Asia and Australia. This month I'll look at how BIM is being received in the largest country and economy in Latin America: Brazil. I'll explore the reasons why BIM is attractive to Brazilian firms, compare their adoption of BIM with firms in other parts of the world and show what lessons you can learn from their success.

Brazilian Building Industry
After a shaky financial start to the millennium, Brazil's fiscal reform measures have led to the return of economic growth. Brazil's stable diverse economy is once again healthy and growing -- as is its building industry. All sectors are on the rise, particularly hospitality (on the relatively underdeveloped Atlantic coast) and commercial in the large urban areas such as Sao Paulo and Brazilia.

Architectural firms in Brazil are experiencing competition from all fronts: foreign firms competing for very large commercial projects; national firms competing for public projects and large private-sector projects; and emerging firms using intense price pressure to get business and establish a foothold in the market.

BIM in the Brazilian Market
In this competitive crucible, Brazilian design firms look to innovation -- both architectural and technological -- as a means to distinguish themselves over their competition. Architectural firms must respond and react quickly to win business, and they're turning to BIM for time savings and competitive advantage.

AutoCAD software is the predominant design tool in Brazil, but it's used primarily for 2D drawing production. As a result, architects have less experience with design tools for 3D modeling. For BIM adoption, this situation is both a disadvantage (from a training point of view) and an advantage: there's no intermediate technology investments or legacy data issues complicating the move to BIM. In fact, 2D AutoCAD data integrates seamlessly with Autodesk Revit Building, so firms with an investment in AutoCAD drawings can easily migrate to BIM. To import files into Revit Building, select File / Import/Link / DWG, DXF, DGN, SAT (figure 1).

figure
Figure 1. Import and Link options in Revit Building.

Navigate to the file to import, select the import settings as desired and then click Open (figure 2).

figure
Figure 2. Select your desired import settings.

After importing, you can view and edit AutoCAD geometry, as well as control or override the layer visibility (figure 3).

figure
Figure 3. Viewing and editing the AutoCAD geometry.

For examples of BIM's adoption in Brazil, let's examine two firms at opposite ends of their transition to BIM: Contier Arquitetura, early adopters of BIM and Aflalo & Gasperini, which is just embarking on its implementation of BIM.

Contier Arquitetura
Contier Arquitetura is an architecture and urban planning firm headquartered in S


About the Author: AIA


About the Author: Rick Rundell

Rick Rundell

AutoCAD Tips!

Lynn Allen

Autodesk Technical Evangelist Lynn Allen guides you through a different AutoCAD feature in every edition of her popular "Circles and Lines" tutorial series. For even more AutoCAD how-to, check out Lynn's quick tips in the Cadalyst Video Gallery. Subscribe to Cadalyst's Tips & Tricks Tuesdays free e-newsletter and we'll notify you every time a new video tip is available. All exclusively from Cadalyst!
Follow Lynn on Twitter Follow Lynn on Twitter


Latest News from Cadalyst Partners
Feed
Big Hearty Autodesk Welcome to Tinkercad   19 May, 2013

Autodesk announced yesterday at Maker Faire which is essentially the center of the universe event for DIY & Makers our intent to acquire Tinkercad....More>>Read all Between the Lines blog posts>>

Feed
Teaching Old Designs New Tricks   17 May, 2013

Question: What do the QWERTY keyboard, the railroad, and shoelaces have in common? Answer: Their inventors are long gone. The QWERTY keyboard was...More>>Read more PTC Creo blog posts>>

Feed
Ideate - Ideate BIMLink for Revit 2014 now available   17 May, 2013

An update for my favorite Revit tool and most favorite Autodesk reseller. I miss you Bob! ...More>>Read more BIMbuilder blog posts>>

Feed
Discover and Fix Your Vibration Vulnerability with SolidWorks Simulation   17 May, 2013

When I go biking during the summer, I rely on the frame of my bicycle to withstand stresses such as vibration and impact. As I speed down the trail,...More>>Read more SolidWorks Blog posts>>

Feed
Behind the Design: How Words and Sketches Become a Picture Book   18 May, 2013

I bet, next to those dusty engineering and design textbooks on the shelf, you have a few picture books that have led to endless inspiration since you...More>>Read more SolidSmack blog posts>>

Poll
What type of input device (besides the keyboard) do you use at your primary CAD workstation?
Standard mouse
Trackball mouse
Programmable mouse
3D navigation device
Pen/tablet
Multiple devices
Submit Vote




Considering Wide Format Printing Solutions?
Four FREE White Papers Available:






Subscribe Cadalyst Newsletters